View from the locker roomRegarded as more mischievous and outgoing than her stern countrywomen, Moscovite Myskina says she's happy to be pals with the other Russians - so long as she can beat the hell out of them on court.

Bet you didn't know ...Was coached by Marat Safin's fearsome mother: "She was always, you know, she put pressure on us, so we were really quiet," she recalls, looking over her shoulder nervously.

On court

Wimbledon wiz or wuss?Is happiest on clay or a hard court but, having reached the finals of Edgbaston and Eastbourne, may be better on grass than she thinks.

Annoying ticNot so much a tic as a full-blown syndrome: the 22-year-old regularly screams spectacularly rude swear words during matches. Post-tennis career as a Russian celebrity chef beckons.

In form or in tattersBounced back from March's Gary Lineker-esque toe injury to win French Open in style.

McEnroe momentsUsed to blame poor play on her coach (and ex-boyfriend) Jens Gerlach, screaming abuse in his direction like Basil Fawlty at an Austin 1300 - but since France has vowed to change. "I'm a hard person," she told him, "sorry for everything." Heck, we forgive you.

Off court

Love gameSince splitting with Gerlach has become smitten with Russian ice-hockey player Alexandr Stepanek. Is it obligatory or something?

Home hero?Boosted her status by becoming the first Russian woman to win the Kremlin Cup last year, and was "rewarded" by pickled ex-president Boris Yeltsin running on to embrace her.

Private passionsOnce posed on a horse while wearing next to nothing for a GQ feature. "They asked me to do some pictures but they didn't say anything about the horse," she says. Funny that.

Championship points

Expert predictionNeeds a kind draw and some very un-Basil Fawlty-like luck to reach the quarter-finals. You can sit down, Boris.

Don't rule out ... After a heavy defeat is found beating Gerlach with a branch.